Method for network identification acquisition by regular users for supporting automated planning and optimization processes in cellular mobile radio networks

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a process for acquiring the parameters of a mobile radio network ( 3 ), whereby regular subscriber terminal devices ( 1 ) perform the acquisition without the use of additional external devices (GPS receiver, storage and processing module, notebook . . . ) being necessary. The acquisition of characteristic data can be configured dynamically by the mobile radio system ( 3 ) and is preferably performed every time that the user determines a position in any case (when using Location Based Services) or the subscriber terminal device ( 1 ) reaches a defined range ( 4 ) of the mobile radio network ( 3 ), whereby the definition of this range ( 4 ) is based either on network-standard field identifiers (Cell ID, LA, RA, URAI TA) or was defined by an open polygon of coordinates. The acquired data are transferred to an acquisition, analysis and processing unit ( 2 ).

This invention relates to a process for acquiring real/currentcharacteristic data of a mobile radio system, for example according toGSM, UMTS, E-UTRAN/LTE or WiMAX standards, by a mobile radio terminaldevice of a real user of this mobile radio system.

The prior art is the examination of corresponding parameters of a mobileradio network by dedicated test runs, which require a cost-intensive useof personnel and material. In addition, these processes have thedrawback that only discrete partial areas of a mobile radio system canbe acquired with such methods, e.g., measurements of the supply qualityof a mobile radio system along streets and highways. Another drawbackconsists in that these test runs cannot be performed continuously andover large areas, and therefore measurement results cannot always beavailable for the current status or for large areas.

An optimized variant of the process of the dedicated test runs foracquiring network parameters is described in DE 199 00 543: in theprocess described therein, special users of a mobile radio system arerecruited to acquire relevant parameters of a mobile radio network, andthese acquired measured values are transmitted upon the occurrence of apreviously determined event to an analysis device of the mobile radionetwork by means of signaling channels (SMS). To acquire the position,an external device (“storage and processing module”) is required todetermine the current position of the mobile radio device within thenetwork topology (in addition, optional external GPS receiver andoptional personal computer). The use of one or more external accessorydevices (“storage and processing module” & GPS receivers) represents anunreasonable expense for a normal mobile radio user, whereby theapplicability of this process remains limited to specifically equippedoperators (for example, buses, taxis, trucks, etc., but not “normal”mobile phone users).

The prior art is thus systems for the acquisition of the characteristicdata of a mobile radio system that acquire the data to be determined onthe user side by a subscriber terminal device (MS: mobile station, UE:user equipment), forward said data to an external storage and processingunit and provide them with location information (position) by means ofaccessory hardware (e.g., external GPS receiver), and forward them viauser data channels (GPRS) or signaling channels by means of SMS (e.g.,via the SDCCH channel with GSM) to the mobile radio network for furtherprocessing/analysis, cf. DE 199 00 543.

As an alternative, processes are also known that buffer the recordeddata in a data storage unit, which has to be specially read out for thepurpose of processing these data; this approach is common in dedicatedtest runs in mobile radio networks.

The object of the invention is to indicate a process for acquiringreal/current characteristic data of a mobile radio system that overcomesthe above-mentioned drawbacks and allows it in a reliable andreasonably-priced way to acquire characteristic data of a mobile radiosystem over large areas, whereby the hardware expense as well asnecessary labor input are to be considerably reduced.

This object is achieved according to the invention by a process with thefeatures of Claim 1.

Preferred embodiments and further developments of the invention emergefrom the dependent claims.

According to the invention, the acquisition of parameters of a mobileradio system, in particular a cellular mobile radio network, is carriedout in particular according to GSM, UMTS, E-UTRAN/LTE or WiMAX standardsin that parameters of the mobile radio system, in particular thecellular mobile radio network, are acquired by means of mobile radioterminal devices, in particular by serial subscriber terminal devices ofusers of this network, without additional external devices fordetermination of position, Such as in particular external GPS receiversor a storage and processing module, and are forwarded to a centralizedor decentralized/distributed acquisition, analysis and processing unitin the network.

According to the invention, it is provided that relevant characteristicdata of the mobile radio network at the current position of the mobileradio subscriber of this mobile radio network are acquired directly bythe mobile radio terminal device of the user under normal conditions ofuse, and optionally can be provided with position indication, and thatthese measured data are forwarded from a mobile radio terminal devicevia standardized signaling channels of a mobile radio system, preferablyaccording to GSM, UMTS, E-UTRAN/LTE or WiMAX standards, to an analysisunit of the mobile radio operator.

The subsequent further processing of the thus forwarded data canadvantageously be used for planning and optimization of the radionetwork infrastructure (neighborhood planning, setting of otheroperating parameters, etc.) as well as also for the demand-orientedprovision of specific data contents for the mobile radio user(customers), however. Motivation in this respect also produces thesupport of the procedures, with respect to the reduction of operationalexpenses, which support certain processes in the mobile radio networkand parameters thereof in a self-optimizing manner (goal:self-optimizing network, SON).

The measured values and processes that are shown in this step form thebasis for the sell-optimizing procedures but are not limited to themeasured values, procedures and scenarios that are shown. One embodimentof the process according to the invention also calls for an automaticacquisition and provision of the recorded measured data without the userof a mobile radio terminal device having to take part actively himself.

The advantage of this invention compared to the prior art is theelimination of additional external devices in the form of measuring orposition acquisition hardware or software and the optional use withoutadditional expense on the part of the user, as well as without hissupport.

For the application of the process that is described here, commerciallyavailable mobile radio terminal devices, preferably GSM, UMTS,E-UTRAN/LTE or WiMAX terminal devices, are used. Additional advantagesof the process according to the invention are the ability to have themeasuring fields predefined and to have a specific field analyzed bymeasurement technology carried by the normal mobile radio subscriberswithout manual intervention or use of accessory devices. A significantadvantage of an embodiment of the process according to the invention isthe option of performing the measurement when entering a predefinedacquisition field.

In the process according to the invention for acquisition of parametersof a mobile radio system, in particular a cellular mobile radio network,it is especially advantageous that parameters of the mobile radiosystem, in particular of the cellular mobile radio network, are acquiredby means of mobile radio terminal devices and are forwarded to acentralized or decentralized/distributed acquisition, analysis andprocessing unit in the network.

In the mobile radio system or mobile radio network, this can be inparticular a network according to GSM, UMTS, E-UTRAN/LTE or WiMAXstandards, but the application of the process is not limited to theabove-mentioned network standards. In particular, quality data, range,signal strength, network load, availability at the current position,supply quality, etc., can fall under parameters. The acquisition andrelaying of the parameters or characteristic data of the mobile radiosystem or mobile radio network is thus carried out by using serialsubscriber terminal devices of the users of this network, withoutadditional external devices for determining position, such as inparticular external GPS receivers or a storage and processing module.

In this case and below, the term GPS receiver is understood to be asynonym for any type of device for determining position by means ofsatellites or satellite navigation systems, without this producing alimitation to the global positioning system GPS. This can be anysatellite-supported positioning process.

Preferably, the forwarding of the characteristic data to theacquisition, analysis and processing unit is carried out via signalingchannels of the respective system.

In a preferred embodiment, the process as well as the necessaryprocedures to this end can be an integral component of the GSM, UMTS,E-UTRAN/LTE or WiMAX system and neither the acquisition ofcharacteristic data, nor the linking of measurements to the currentposition, nor the forwarding to the acquisition, analysis and processingunit are carried out on the application plane, but rather signalingchannels of the respective system can be used.

Preferably, standardized parameters of the mobile radio system arelinked to position indication of the current acquisition site, and thelatter is forwarded to the acquisition, analysis and processing unit ofthe mobile radio system.

In mobile radio systems according to the UMTS or E-UTRAN/LTE standard,the parameters can be in particular CPICH Ec/No, CPICH RSCP, CPICH RSRP,path loss, SIR, BLER, data throughput, data on the “active set,”transmission power, etc. In mobile radio systems according to GSM/GERANstandards, the parameters can be in particular RxLEV, RxQual,transmission power, and path loss.

The above-mentioned parameters can be linked to position indication ofthe current acquisition site and to which the acquisition, analysis andprocessing unit of the mobile radio system can be forwarded.

In a preferred embodiment of the process according to the invention, atime stamp is appended to the acquired parameters; in particular, a timestamp can be appended by the mobile radio terminal device before theforwarding to the acquisition, analysis and processing unit or it can beappended by the acquisition, analysis and processing unit to theparameters that are obtained at the time of reception.

By appending a time stamp, additional analyses are possible while takinginto consideration the time, such as, for example, times of maximumnetwork load in the daytime in comparison to times of minimum networkload in the nighttime.

In an especially preferred embodiment, the measured data that areobtained are used not only for maintaining the optionally presentconnection, but rather these data, provided with position indication andoptionally a time stamp, are directed for analysis or further processingto an acquisition, analysis and processing unit of the mobile radionetwork.

The forwarding of currently acquired parameters of the mobile radiosystem is preferably carried out in the mobile radio system every timethat the current halting position of the mobile terminal device wasdetermined, in particular when using location based services, i.e.,those services that are available in a position-dependent manner. Thedetermination of the position of a mobile radio terminal device within amobile radio network is carried out more or less routinely, such thatthe triggering of the acquisition and forwarding of current parametersof the mobile radio network based on the determination of the positionof the mobile radio terminal device allows optimum data acquisition ofdata over as large an area as possible. For example, the acquisition andforwarding then are carried out when the subscriber of the mobile radiosystem queries certain position-dependent services, such as, e.g., whenusing location based services, since when using such services, theposition of the mobile radio terminal device is known and thus anassignment of the acquired characteristic data to one position is easilypossible.

Preferably, the measurements of current parameters of a mobile radiosystem are analyzed and worked up for determination and optimization ofthe supply quality of a mobile radio network, which were determined frommobile radio terminal devices, in particular from real mobile radiosubscribers, and were transferred to the system.

In this way, a network optimization is possible at considerably reducedexpense relative to the process according to the prior art; inparticular, data from larger areas are available for analysis.

Preferably, the position determination interrogation of a mobileterminal device in a mobile radio system is provided with a time stamp,and this position is stored and/or analyzed with the related requesttime or based on an interrogation of the position in an analysis unitinitiated by the user.

Preferably, the acquisition and provision or linkage of the currentposition to a measured data of the parameters acquired at this site isperformed by means of a GPS receiver that is integrated in the mobileradio terminal device.

The acquisition and provision or linkage of the current position tomeasured data acquired at this site can preferably then be performedevery time that the terminal device is moved in a predetermined field bythe operator of the network.

By triggering the acquisition and forwarding of the characteristic dataof the mobile radio network in connection with a specific, i.e., adeterminable, spatially limited field of the mobile radio network,comprising one or more cells of a cellular mobile radio network, atargeted data acquisition and spatial identification is possible; inparticular, the availability and network quality in certain fields canbe examined and analyzed specifically in this way.

In an especially preferred embodiment, the acquisition and provision orlinkage of the current position to the measured data acquired at thissite are performed every time that the positional measurement has takenplace at a predefined time or within a predefined time interval.

For this purpose, certain time intervals, for example times of maximumnetwork load in the daytime, can be subjected to an analysis.

Preferably, the acquisition of network quality data by a regular mobileradio subscriber is performed and forwarded to an acquisition, analysisand processing unit in the network every time that the subscriberterminal device has reached a predefined range of the mobile radionetwork.

As a result, it is possible to determine and to analyze characteristicdata of the mobile radio network in connection in a specific, i.e., adeterminable, spatially limited field of the mobile radio network,comprising one or more cells of a cellular mobile radio network. Thus, atargeted data acquisition and spatial identification is possible; inparticular, the availability and network quality in certain fields canbe examined and analyzed specifically in this way.

The predefinition of the acquisition area can be carried out by a fieldidentifier used in mobile radio networks, in particular Location Area(LA), i.e., the halting area of the mobile radio terminal device, orRouting Area (RA) or UTRAN Registration Area (URA) or Tracking Area (TA)or cells or several of the above-mentioned field identifiers incombination.

Preferably, a predefinition of the acquisition area can be carried outby a description of a field-polygon, whereby a subscriber terminaldevice determines the current position by means of an integrated GPSreceiver and, upon entry into the predefined field polygon,automatically begins in the mobile radio network with the acquisition ofparameters and forwarding to the acquisition, analysis and processingunit.

The acquisition as well as the forwarding of the acquired data ispreferably independent of the operating state (active/idle) of thesubscriber terminal device. The reliability of the application of theprocess according to the invention can thus be carried out independentlyof the switching status of various mobile radio terminal devices.

Preferably, the forwarding of the acquired data is carried out in asignaling channel of the respective mobile radio system and not viachannels that are usually subject to user data (SMS, Traffic Channel).In contrast to known processes according to the prior art, no trafficchannel is thus taken up, or no channel resources are required by thetransmission of SMS.

The acquisition of characteristic data or parameters of the mobile radionetwork is preferably based on standardized events, in particular theUMTS or E-UTRAN measurement reporting events; in particular, a measuringprocess can be activated when going below or above threshold values ofparameters, whereby the threshold values were previously defined by thenetwork relative to the subscriber terminal device.

As an alternative or cumulatively thereto, the acquisition of thecharacteristic data can be based on standardized events, in particularthe UMTS or E-UTRAN measurement reporting events, and after a definedevent occurs, the measurements as well as the forwarding of thecharacteristic values are carried out at periodic intervals for aspecific time. As a result, it is possible to achieve a periodic dataacquisition (periodic reporting).

As triggers for implementing acquisition and forwarding of networkcharacteristic data, the events that are defined in 3GPP TS, 25.331,chapter 14, can thus be used in particular for UMTS.

In a preferred embodiment, the acquisition of characteristic data isbased on defined situations of exception, in particular a break in acommunication connection; in particular, after a situation of exceptionoccurs, the measurements as well as the forwarding of characteristicvalues can be carried out for a certain time at periodic intervals. Forthis purpose, it is possible to achieve a periodic data acquisition(periodic reporting). At the same time, possible supply gaps in themobile radio network are identified, if, for example, a cut-off of adiscussion is used as a trigger for determining a characteristic value.In this connection, preferably also additional information on thelocation, the time, as well as the original cell (cell identity) andoptionally the target cell (cell identity) can be forwarded in anabortive handover to the acquisition, analysis and processing unit ofthe mobile radio network.

Preferably, an anonymized storage of the forwarded parameters orcharacteristic data of the mobile radio network is carried out. Inparticular, the necessary data protection is adequately ensured byanonymized data storage.

A statistical analysis of the forwarded parameters or characteristicdata of the mobile radio network is preferably carried out. Thus, theacquired network characteristic data can be used in particular foroptimizing the network.

The parameters or characteristic data of the mobile radio networkpreferably reflect the supply quality and/or network parameters, as wellas optionally the location and time of a connection break withadditional parameters of the mobile radio network.

In a preferred embodiment, the parameters or characteristic data arefiled and forwarded during a configurable time window.

Preferably, the positions of supply gaps in the mobile radio network areat least temporarily stored in the mobile radio terminal device andforwarded to the acquisition, analysis and processing unit of the mobileradio network, as soon as a connection to the mobile radio networkexists again. In this way, supply gaps in the mobile radio network canbe identified and documented in a simple and advantageous way.

Also, a computer program is claimed with a program code, which, executedon a mobile radio terminal device, carries out a process according tothe invention, as well as a computer program with a program code, whichis executed in a data-processing unit, and carries out a processaccording to the invention.

In addition, an arrangement of mobile terminal devices is claimed foracquiring parameters of a mobile radio system in a mobile communicationnetwork with adjacent radio cells, whereby in the mobile terminaldevice, at least one storage device and/or a data-processing unit arepresent, which, during operation in the mobile communication network,acquires, processes and transfers the data, according to the process ofthe invention, to the mobile radio system.

In the figures, various embodiments of the process according to theinvention are shown and explained in more detail below. Here:

FIG. 1 diagrammatically shows cells of a mobile radio network and adefinition of a measuring field based on CI, LA, RA, TA, etc.

FIG. 2 diagrammatically shows cells of a mobile radio network and adefinition of a measuring field based on geographic data of a polygon.

FIG. 3 diagrammatically shows cells of a mobile radio network and adefinition of a measuring field through a circle with radius R.

By way of example, FIG. 4 shows the information exchange betweenacquisition, analysis and processing unit (EAV), base station system(BTS), and mobile radio terminal device (UE).

In FIG. 1, cells of a mobile radio network and a definition of ameasuring field based on radio cell identity CI, Location Area LA, i.e.,halting area of a mobile radio terminal device 1, Routing Area RA,Tracking Area TA, etc., are depicted diagrammatically.

Based on the special properties of a mobile radio channel, specialprocedures are necessary to use this channel for data transfer. Theseprocedures are described and set by specific characteristic values. Forthe planning and operation of mobile radio systems, for exampleaccording to the GSM, UMTS, E-UTRAN/LTE or WiMAX standards, findings onthe current parameters (RxLEV, RxQual with GSM, or CPICH RSCP, CPICHEc/No, path loss, SIR, the “active set” with UMTS or the subfrequenciesthat are used in OFDM systems such as E-UTRAN/LTE or WiMAX) areessential in the entire field of a mobile radio network 3.

Relative to FIG. 1, the decisive advantage of the process that isdescribed here relative to the prior art consists in that to determinethe measured data and the linkage of the current acquisition site, noexternal or additional device whatsoever except for a serial,standardized mobile radio terminal device 1 with integrated positioningacquisition, e.g., an integrated GPS receiver, is required. In addition,the advantage of the described process consists in that thedetermination and transfer of the parameters of the mobile radio network3 can be coupled to the determination of position 100 of the mobilesubscriber terminal device and transferred for analysis by means ofstandardized processes to signaling channels (e.g., according to GSM,UMTS, E-UTRAN/LTE or WiMAX standards); in contrast to the knownprocesses, no traffic channel is engaged, or no channel resources arerequired by the sending out of SMS, as described in DE 199 00 543.

Another advantage of the process according to the invention is providedby the introduction of measurements, necessary in any case (both thenetwork parameters and the position), which results in a considerablesaving of battery capacity: the mobile terminal device 1 introduces,e.g., the determination of its own position 100 automatically andindependently to obtain site-dependent information and transfers onlyadditional further information to the mobile radio network 3, whichprovides information to the mobile radio network operator on thecondition of his network 3 at the current position 100 of the user. Todetermine the selected position 100 of a mobile radio device and to makeavailable this information for a Location Based Service (LBS), ingeneral connections are necessary between the mobile station 1 and themobile radio network 3 for transfer to the determined position. Ingeneral, in connection with the design of this connection, measured dataof the subscriber terminal device 1 are also acquired in the requirementof the network 3 (e.g., based on the signaling from an RNC in a UMTSnetwork) and are forwarded to the RNC for maintaining the connection bythe terminal device 1 (for example, CPICH RSCP or Ec/No measurements).Concerning this, according to the process of this invention, however,the latter are linked to the current position 100 of the acquisitionsite and are forwarded both to the RNC (here, in the case of UMTS), theeNB (in the case of E-UTRAN/LTE) for maintaining the connection, and toa corresponding acquisition, analysis and processing unit 2 foracquiring the network parameters in the mobile radio network 3.

The determination of position 100 of the currently performed networkquality measurement is carried out by, for example, use of an integratedGPS receiver in the mobile terminal device 1 or by other known processes(based on “cell identity,” OTDOA, ETDOA, etc. [3GPP TS 25.305]), which,however, based on their composition, produce a less exact determinationof the current position of the mobile terminal end customers.

As an alternative, the determination of the position 100 and thecorresponding parameters of the mobile radio network 3 corresponding tothe process according to the invention is preferably carried out everytime that the position 100 of the mobile terminal device 1 is performedon the user's demand or an application specified by him.

The determined parameters of the mobile radio network 3 are forwardedfor subsequent storage and further processing without the featuresidentifying the subscriber (e.g., IMSI, P-TMSI) to an acquisition,analysis and processing unit 2 that is provided by the network operator.The parameters that come in here from a large number of subscribers canbe analyzed statistically and can be recruited by the large number ofthese data to perform an optimizing of the mobile radio network 3.

As a side effect of this process, these anonymized data can be used tomake an assessment of at what spatial positions of a mobile radionetwork and at what times in each case corresponding interrogations aremade to determine the position of a mobile terminal device. From this,advantageously site-linked information services can be provided.

A further development of the process according to the invention (FIG. 1)makes it possible for the network operator, within a certain field 4(e.g., based on Location Areas (LA), Routing Areas (RA) or cell ID inmobile radio systems according to UMTS and GSM standards, or based onUTRAN Registration Area (URA) (in UMTS mobile radio systems) or TrackingAreas (TA) in E-UTRAN/LTE systems), to configure mobile radio deviceswith incorporated GPS receivers 1 so that the latter perform predefinednetwork quality measurements after entry into a predefined field 4 (CellID, LA, RA, URA, TA) and forward them to the acquisition, analysis andfurther processing unit of the network 2. In the example depicted inFIG. 1, the predefined field 4 comprises several cells of the cellularmobile radio network 3.

With reference to FIG. 2, for example, the definitions of polygons 5within the mobile radio network 3 are proposed in another design of theprocess according to the invention as fields, whereby the preconfiguredsubscriber terminal device 1 executes predefined measurements whenentering this field 5 and forwards them to the acquisition, analysis andprocessing unit 2. For example, based on positional corner points 6(according to the Gauss-Kreuger System or another GIS system), a field 5could be defined in which exact measured data are of interest for amobile radio operator.

According to FIG. 3, the form of the predefined field 5 in this case canbe, for example, a circle 7 with a radius R around a defined position101.

In the alternatives, not shown, the field is defined by a rectangle or afreely defined open polygon. The decisive advantage in this design is inthe reduced requirement for the number of measurements, since an exactlydefined field 4, 5 or 7 can be acquired.

As an additional feature, a time component can also be recruited for allembodiments that are described above: a preconfiguration of themeasurements thus also contains a time component, whereby themeasurements to be determined are performed only during a predefinedtime interval (e.g., only between 1600 hours and 2000 hours) and areforwarded to the acquisition, analysis and processing unit 2 of thenetwork 3 (or the combination based on location and time). Thepossibility of the preconfiguration of the acquisition time offers thenetwork operator the option of being allowed to determine the realmeasured data in a specific time interval by the user, e.g., only duringthe so-called “busy hour” or only during certain hours of the night,e.g., if a network upgrade was performed and some measurements are toocost-intensive. Additional conditions for a measurement are conceivable,such as the measurement when falling below or exceeding the thresholdvalues of parameters; the subscriber terminal devices can be definedrelative to the network.

In addition, the local storage of the acquired measured data is alsoconceivable at position 100 and acquisition time in the terminal device1 of the customers, whereby the local storage makes it possible toforward data in low traffic times (e.g., at night). The preconfigurationof a defined acquisition field 4, 5, or 7 makes it possible for thenetwork operator to be able to acquire certain fields of his network 3by network subscribers 1, which are of special interest to him andoptionally can be dynamically changed.

All embodiments of the proposed process allow the acquisition ofparameters of the mobile system, and this occurs regardless of whethercurrently a message runs between subscriber terminal device 1 andnetwork 3 (e.g., during a discussion/data transfer—“active mode”) or thesubscriber terminal device 1 is located only in receiver standby (“idlemode”). Only when no connection is possible between subscriber terminaldevice 1 and network 3, as in, for example, a poorly supplied field,measured values, such as information regarding neighboring networks andnetworks of other access technologies, can be stored in the subscriberterminal device 1 and are made available to the network in the presenceof a new connection to network 3.

In FIG. 4, an example communication process for the configuration, thedetermination and the reporting of the desired measurements is shown.

The acquisition, analysis and processing unit “EAV” 200 of the mobileradio network 3 decides in step 300 on the necessary acquisition ofcharacteristic data of the mobile radio system. To this end, a decisionon the measuring object (“object,” or CPICH Ec/No), the measuring field(“field”) and optionally a time limitation of the measurements (“time”)is necessary. The acquisition, analysis and processing unit 200determines the corresponding BTS/NB/eNB 201 based on the existinggeographic topologies of the mobile radio network. If, for example,measurements are required in a certain Location Area (LA) of the mobileradio network, all BTS/NB/eNB 201 that are part of this LA are directedby means of a corresponding message 301 to task mobile radio terminaldevices with measurements in the area of the respective BTS/NB/eNB 201.The latter can comprise all or only one part of the mobile radioterminal devices in the corresponding area, which is determined in step302 by the BTS/NB/eNB 201. The BTS/NB/eNB 201 sends to the selectedmobile radio terminal devices (UE) 202 a corresponding configurationmessage 303 with the corresponding information regarding “events”—forexample if a certain measured value (“object”) has fallen below orexceeded a set value—the number of the report “number” to be sent, thefield (“field”) in which the measuring task has validity, and optionallya time limitation when the measurements are to be made (“time”). Afterthe configuration message 303 is received, the UE 202 examines in thestep 304 the corresponding current situation with the measuringinstructions indicated in the configuration. If the corresponding eventoccurs in step 305, the UE performs the corresponding measurements; itlinks with the position of the measurement and optionally the time, andit sends in a MEASURING REPORT 306 to the corresponding BTS/NB/eNB 201.In step 307, the BTS/NB/eNB 201 removes subscriber-specific identifiers(e.g., TMSI) of the reporting UEs 202 and sends a measuring protocolmessage SON REPORT 308 (SON: “Self-Optimizing Network”) to theacquisition, analysis and processing unit 200. As an alternative, theBTS/NB/eNB can collect a number of MEASURING REPORTS in step 307 andsend them together in step 308 to the acquisition, analysis andprocessing unit. Thus, the determined data, i.e., the parameters 306 orthe data carried together in the base station eNB 201, i.e., theparameters 308, are transferred to the acquisition, analysis, andprocessing unit 200.

The incoming SON REPORTs 308 of the respective base station BTS/NB/eNB201 of various UEs 202 are then further processed in the acquisition,analysis and processing unit 200 and are worked up and further processedfor the planning and optimization process of the mobile radio networkoperator.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS AND ABBREVIATIONS

-   1 Mobile Radio Terminal Device-   2 Acquisition, Analysis and Processing Unit (EAV)-   3 Mobile Radio Network-   4 Field-   5 Polygon (Field)-   6 Positional Corner Point-   7 Field (Circle)-   100 Position of the Mobile Radio Terminal Device 1-   200 EAV (Acquisition, Analysis and Processing Unit)-   201 BTS/NB/eNB (Base Station)-   202 UE (User Equipment, Mobile Radio Terminal Device)-   300-308 Process Steps-   300 Triggering a Measurement-   301 Trigger Message-   302 Selection of the Mobile Radio Terminal Device in the Selected    Field-   303 Configuration Message on the Mobile Radio Terminal Device-   304 Evaluation of the Configuration Message by the Mobile Radio    Terminal Device-   305 Detection of the Network Characteristic Data by the Mobile Radio    Terminal Device-   306 Parameters of the Mobile Radio Network (Individual Measurement    Report)-   307 Compilation of Several Measuring Reports-   308 Parameters of the Mobile Radio Network (Overview Measuring    Report)-   BTS Base-Transceiver Station (Base Station)-   CI Cell Identifier (Radio Cell Identity)-   CPICH Common Pilot Channel (UMTS)-   eNB Enhanced Node B (Base Station)-   E-UTRAN Enhanced Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network-   GPRS General Packet Radio System-   GPS Global Positioning System (Satellite-Supported Positioning    System)-   GSM Global System for Mobile Communications-   IMSI International Mobile Subscriber Identity-   LA Location Area (Halting Area of the Mobile Radio Terminal Device)-   LBS Location Based Services-   LTE Long Term Evolution-   NB Node-B-   OFDM Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplex-   OTDOA Observed Time Difference of Arrival-   P-TMSI Packet Temporary Mobile Subscriber Identity-   RA Routing Area-   RNC Radio Network Controller-   RSCP Received Signal Code Power-   RSRP Received Signal Reference Power-   RxLEV Reception Level-   Rxqual Reception Quality-   SDCCH Stand-Alone Dedicated Control Channel-   SIR Signal to Interference Radio-   SMS Short Message Service-   SON Self-Optimizing Network-   TA Tracking Area-   UE User Equipment (Subscriber Terminal Device=Mobile Radio Terminal    Device)-   UMTS Universal Mobile Telecommunication System-   URA UTRAN Registration Area-   WiMAX Worldwide Interoperablity for Microwave Access

1. A process for acquiring parameters (306, 308) characteristic of amobile radio system, in particular, a cellular mobile radio network (3),according to the group selected from GSM, UMTS, E-UTRAN/LTE and WiMAXstandards, wherein said parameters are acquired by means of at least onemobile radio terminal devices (1, 202), in particulars by serialsubscriber terminal devices of users of said network without additionalexternal devices for determining position, such as, for example,external GPS receivers or storage or processing modules, and furtherwherein said parameters are forwarded to a centralized ordecentralized/divided acquisition, analysis, and processing unit (2,200) in said network (3).
 2. The process according to claim 1, whereinthe forwarding of said parameters (306, 308) to the acquisition,analysis and processing unit (2, 200) is carried out via signalingchannels of the respective system.
 3. The process according to claim 1,wherein said parameters (306, 308) of the mobile radio system (3) arelinked to position indication data of the current acquisition site(100), selected from the group comprising, CPICH Ec/No, CPICH RSCP,CPICH RSRP, path loss, SIR, BLER, data throughput, data on the “activeset,” cell identities and transmission power, UMTS or E-UTRA/LTEstandards, and RxLEV, RxQual, transmission power, and path lossaccording to the GSM/GERAN standard, and wherever said positionindication data is forwarded to the acquisition, analysis and processingunit (2) of the mobile radio system (3).
 4. The process according toclaim 1, wherein a time stamp is appended to said parameters (306, 308),prior to the forwarding to the acquisition, analysis and processing unit(2, 200), wherein said time stamp is appended by the mobile radioterminal device (1, 202), or wherein a time stamp is appended at thetime of reception by the acquisition, analysis and processing unit (2,200) to the obtained parameters (306, 308).
 5. The process according toclaim 1 wherein said parameters (306, 308) are forwarded at the momentthat the current halting position (100) of the mobile terminal device(1, 202) is determined, when using Location Based Services.
 6. Theprocess according to claim 1 wherein the measurements of said parameters(306, 308) are analyzed to determine and to optimize the supply qualityof a mobile radio network (3).
 7. The process according to claim whereina position determination interrogation of a mobile terminal device (1,202) is provided with a time stamp, wherein said position (100) isstored and/or analyzed in an analysis unit with the relatedinterrogation time or based on an interrogation of said position (100)initiated by the user.
 8. The process according to claim 1 wherein theacquisition and provision or linkage of a position (100) to measureddata of parameters (306, 308) acquired on said location is carried outby means of a GPS receiver that is integrated in said mobile radioterminal device (1, 202).
 9. The process according to claim 1 whereinthe acquisition and provision or linkage of a current position (100) tomeasured data that is acquired at a location is performed when saidterminal device (1, 202) is moved into a field (4, 5, 7) that ispredetermined by an operator of the network (3).
 10. The processaccording to claim 1 wherein the acquisition and provision or linkage ofa current position (100) to measured data acquired at a location isperformed when a positional measurement has been taken at a predefinedtime or within a predefined time interval.
 11. The process according toclaim 1 further wherein acquisition of network quality information by amobile radio subscriber is performed and forwarded to the acquisition,analysis and processing unit (2, 200) in the network (3) when saidterminal device (1, 202) has reached a predefined area (4, 5, 7) ofwithin said mobile radio network (3).
 12. The process according to claim1 further wherein the predefinition of an acquisition area (4, 5, 7) isprovided, pre-defined by a field identifier used in mobile radionetworks (3), said acquisition being a methodology selected from thegroup comprising LA, RA, URA, TA, cells and combinations thereof. 13.The process according to claim 1 further wherein an acquisition area isprovided, said acquisition area being pre-defined by a field polygon(5), wherein said subscriber terminal device (1, 202) determines acurrent position (100) by means of an integrated GPS receiver and whenentering the predefined field polygon (5) independently begins with theacquisition of parameters (306, 308) and the forwarding to theacquisition, analysis and processing unit (2, 200) in the mobile radionetwork (3).
 14. The process according to claim 1 wherein the detectionand forwarding said parameter (306, 308) is independent of an(active/idle) operating condition of the subscriber terminal device (1,202).
 15. The process according to claim 1 wherein the forwarding ofsaid parameters (306, 308) to a signaling channel of the respectivemobile radio system (3) is carried out via channels other than thosethat are for user data.
 16. The process according to claim 1 wherein theacquisition of said parameters (306, 308) is further based on UMTS orE-UTRAN measurement reporting events, wherein said measurement processis triggered when incoming data fall below or exceed threshold values ofsaid parameters, which were previously defined by the network (3)relative to at least one said radio terminal device.
 17. The processaccording to claim 1 wherein the acquisition of said parameters (306,308) is further based on UMTS or E-UTRAN measurement after a definedevent has occurred, wherein said measurements and said forwarding ofcharacteristic values (306, 308) are carried out for a specific time atpredetermined intervals.
 18. The process according to claim 1 whereinthe acquisition of said parameters (306, 308) is further based ondefined situations of exception, namely a break in a communicationconnection; and, wherein after said exception occurs, the measurementsas well as the forwarding of said parameters (306, 308) are carried outfor a predetermined time at predetermined intervals.
 19. The processaccording to claim 1 wherein said parameters (306, 308) are firstanonymized, and then forwarded and stored.
 20. The process according toclaim 1 wherein said parameters (306, 308) are statistically analyzed.21. The Process according to claim 1 wherein said parameters (306, 308)reflect the supply quality and/or network parameters of said mobileradio network (3).
 22. The process according to claim 1 wherein saidparameters (306, 308) are filed and forwarded during a configurable timewindow.
 23. The process according to claim 1 further wherein positionsof supply gaps in said mobile radio network (3) are stored at leasttemporarily in the mobile radio terminal device (1) and are thereafterforwarded to the acquisition, analysis and processing unit (2, 200) ofthe mobile radio network (3) at a time when a connection to the mobileradio network (3) is reestablished.
 24. A computer program with aprogram code, which, executed on a mobile radio terminal device (1),carries out a process according to claim
 1. 25. A computer program witha program code, which is executed on a data-processing unit and carriesout a process according to claim
 1. 26. A plurality of mobile terminaldevices (1, 202) for acquiring the parameters (306, 308) of a mobileradio system in a mobile communications network (3) having adjacentradio cells, wherein the mobile terminal device (1, 202), furtherincludes at least one storage device or a data-processing unit or acombination thereof which, during operation in the mobile communicationsnetwork (3), acquires and processes the data (306) according to claim 1and transfers them to the mobile radio system.